Exercise Mat

ABSTRACT

An exercise mat may provide markings indicating where a person places their hands in relation to their feet to obtain the alignment necessary to exercise selected muscles of the chest by performing one or more pushups. Other markings on the mat may facilitate the desired positioning of the body for sit-ups and other floor exercises for exercising desired selected muscle groups of the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/021,540, filed Jan. 16, 2008, by the same inventor and entitled Exercise Mat, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment and more particularly to an exercise mat adapted to promote the proper form and alignment for pushups, sit-ups and other floor exercises.

BACKGROUND

There is a way to trigger each muscle group of the pectoral muscle and a human's abdominal muscles during pushups and sit-ups as well as other muscle groups when using the mat for multiple floor exercises. In general the anatomy of the pectoral muscles can be divided into four different regions: the inner, outer, lower, and upper. Furthermore, the abdominal muscles of a human body may be broken down into four different areas: upper, middle, lower and the sides of the abdomen (external abdominal obliques). A mat of the present disclosure allows the user to target each of those specific areas by placing their hands wider or closer together during a pushup motion. Similarly with sit-ups the user can target each section of the abdominal muscles by placing their feet and buttocks at certain locations on the mat to position them in relation to each other to work desired muscle groups.

SUMMARY

An exercise mat of the present disclosure may provide markings and measurements indicating where a person places their hands in relation to their feet to exercise selected muscles of the chest more properly, as well as maintaining the necessary alignment of the spine during one or more pushups. The exercise mat disclosed may also provide coded markings and measurements on a region of the mat the user needs to place the buttocks and feet to maximize their workout by targeting each of the areas of the abdominals. These markings and measurements on the mat facilitate the positioning of the body for pushups, sit-ups, and many other exercises. Furthermore, specific alternative embodiments provide, on the opposite side of the mat, an array, or arrangement of circles or other suitable coded markings. Positioned in the center of the mat is a primary circular marking eight inches in diameter. Two inches outside the primary marking is a series of circles six inches in diameter. This pattern continues, with the circles decreasing in diameter by two inch increments as the circles are spread further apart from the center primary circle. A person can be guided by the circles for stretching, lunges, squats, and other floor exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic illustration of a legend detail of an exemplary embodiment exercise mat of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of instructions for an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of an exercise mat having coded markings on the mat such that the markings correlate cross-back measurements to positions for body parts during exercise.

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. Mat 100 of the present disclosure may have an area of material twenty four feet six inches squared, six feet six inches in its height and four feet in its width. This amount of area may be preferred so a young child can use the exercise mat but also a fully matured adult of large stature could also use the mat and feel comfortable using it. The twenty four feet six inches of area will allow a much broader range of use among the many different designs of the human body.

The size of mat 100 maybe adjusted when manufactured to be larger or smaller than mentioned depending on the design choice desired for a particular user. Coded marks 120, 130, on the surface of the mat facilitate proper body alignment during the exercise motions for a push up or sit up, squats, lunges. Coded markings 120, 130, such as for example colors, cross-hatching patterns, dots, ovals, square, circle, hand prints, as well as lines 110, 140, 142, 144, may be coordinated with legend 150 on exercise mat 100 that correlates or gives a user directions on what each color or other indicator means and what body part a person should place with that certain color during a push up or sit up.

Directly down the center of mat 100 is a line called the centerline or centering line 110. Along every twelve inches, or foot, on the centerline is a marking 140 denoting a foot of length. Starting from the top edge 141 of mat 100 on centerline 110 one may count down twelve inches and be at a mark 140 and repeat this pattern to the bottom edge 145 of the mat.

Every three inches on the centerline 110 there is a mark 142. The three inch markings 142 are shorter than the half way markings 144 between each foot, but the half way markings 144 are shorter than the foot markings 142. The lines 144 intersecting at each foot are six inches long horizontally, the lines 144 intersecting at the half way point between each foot are four inches long horizontally, and the line intersecting between the halfway marks of the foot markings are two inches long horizontally. Center line 110 is used to align the user's feet properly according to the user's body size during a push up and a sit up. In specific embodiments, the center line as well as the other intersecting lines should be roughly one half of an inch thick.

For example, a foot and a half down the center line from the top, to the left and to the right horizontal of the centerline 110, may be a series of color coordinated ovals or other suitable shapes 120 resting next to each other to serve as a guide for hand positions. Not all of the markings are fully exposed; however, five of them are and the remaining fourteen under lap each other.

In a preferred embodiment only five of the markings 120, shown in FIG. 1A as ovals, in the series may be fully exposed. One of the full shaped ovals 121 is on centerline 110 at a foot and a half down from the top, in the middle of the horizontal arrangement of hand markings 120. The preferred dimensions of the horizontal arrangement of oval for the placement of the hands may be four inches wide and six inches tall and are oriented vertically on the mat. The other four fully exposed ovals may be as follows: two 123, 124 spread fourteen inches apart and centered in accordance with centerline 110; the other two 122, 125 spread eighteen inches apart in accordance with centerline 110. Legend 150 maybe provided in the upper right corner of mat 100 to explain markings 120.

FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic illustration of a legend detail of an exemplary embodiment exercise mat of the present disclosure. On the inside of the fully exposed ovals spread fourteen inches apart may be three under-lapping ovals 158 a, 158 b; they eventual under-lap the fully exposed center oval 121 of the horizontal arrangement. Between the fully exposed ovals spread at fourteen inches and eighteen inches may be an under-lapping oval 156 a, 156 b. On the outsides of the fully exposed oval spread at eighteen inches may be three under-lapping ovals 154 a, 154 b. Each may be under-lapping by approximately half their shape more or less. In the total arrangement there may be nineteen ovals. One on the center line and nine to its right and nine to its left. The spacing of ovals, or other coded markings, correlates to the cross back measurement of an exerciser.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of instructions for an exemplary embodiment of an exercise mat of the present disclosure. Graphical explanation 210 of markings 120 may be provided by instructions 200, together with written instructions 220. Instructions 200 may be included in legend 150 or may be provided as a separate inclusion with the purchase of mat 100 or both.

The ovals 120 may be placed on mat 100 so that a human can put his hands on those designated areas, align his or her feet with the center line, and perform one or more pushups. The pectoral muscles may be described as having four different regions: the inner, outer, lower, and upper. Mat 100 allows the user to target each of those specific areas by placing their hands wider or closer together during a push up motion. Other body positions such as tilting the chest up or down, keeping the chest higher or feet higher during a push up with the desired spread of the hands will allow the user to target the lower portions of the chest, the upper portions of the chest, the outer portions of the chest and inner portions of the chest.

On average a small child (boy or girl) has a cross back measurement of fourteen inches. The two shapes 156 a, 156 b as a destination point for the user's hands, spread at fourteen inches apart are for a user who has a cross back measurement of twelve through fifteen inches. These shapes 156 a, 156 b spread at fourteen inches are there for people of that stature.

During a standard pushup a person may position their hands at about shoulder width apart and on the markings 120 suitable for exercising the desired muscles. They can then move their hands closer together to target the inner chest or they can move their hands further apart from that point to target the outer portions of pectoral muscles. It may be helpful for the person using the mat to understand how to tilt the chest to target the upper or lower portions of the chest muscles while the hands are at a desired position on the mat. By understanding how to use the mat, the user can focus more attention on the upper-outer, upper-middle, lower-outer, lower-middle. This will help develop the best muscle growth, strength, and balance in those specific areas.

On an average, a man or woman has a cross back measurement of eighteen inches. On the exercise mat 100 may be placed two of the shapes 154 a, 154 b at eighteen inches apart specifically for the hands of adults to be placed during a standard push up. If an adult with a cross back measurement of eighteen inches would like to work the inner portion of the chest all they have to do is use a few of the shapes closer to the center line; if they want to work the muscle groups on the outer part of pectoralis major, for example, they can place there hands on the other three under-lapping shapes 156 a, 156 b outside the shapes spread 123, 124 nine inches form the center line. The user places their hands on any of the circles no matter what size their body, align their feet with the center line and bends their elbows, lowering the chest and then straightening their arms to complete a push up and be confident that they are aligned for the best pushup of their body's ability.

Table 1 provides a convenient reference guide to convert from clothing sizes to measurements in inches to help determine which markings on the mat to use.

TABLE 1 Human Sizes and Measurements Misses Sizes 5′5″-5′6″ Back waist length 15½-17¼ Misses Sizes 5′2″-5′3″ Back waist length 14½-15¾ Junior Sizes 5′4″-5′5″ Back waist length  15-16¼ Junior Petite 5′1″ Back waist length  14-15¼ Young Junior Sizes 5′1″-5′3″ Back waist length 13½-15¾ Woman Sizes 5′5″-5′6″ Back waist length 17¼-18  Girl Sizes Back waist length 11½-14¼ Gils Plus Back waist length 12½-14¾ Cross Back Woman's Extra small Small Medium Large 1 X 14-14½ 14½-15 16-16½ 17-17½ 17½-18½ Men's Extra Extra Small Medium Large Extra Large Large 15½-16 16½-17 17½-18 18-18½ 18½-19 Child Sizes 2 4 6 8 10 9¼ 9¾ 10¼ 10¾ 11¼ Child Sizes Cont 12 14 16 12 12¼ 13 Inches Men's Outseam 5′4″-5′7″ 37-39½ 5′8″-5″11 40-42½ 5′11″½-6′2″ 43-45½ 6′3″ and over 46 59-61   39½ Boys 62-64 41 36-38 25 65-68   44½ 38-42 26 43-47   30½ 48-51 33 52-55   34½ 56-58 37 Little Girls Small  3  4 19-19½ 21-21¼ Medium  5  6 23- 26 Large 6x   27⅜ Girls Small  7  8   29½   31⅛ Medium 10 12   32⅝   34⅜ Large 14 16   36⅛   37¾ Extra Large 18 20   39⅜ 41

Specific alternative embodiments provide, on the opposite side of the mat, an array, or arrangement of coded markings. Positioned in the center of the mat is a primary circular marking eight inches in diameter. Two inches outside the primary marking is a series of circles six inches in diameter. This pattern continues, with the circles decreasing in diameter by two inch increments as the circles are spread further apart from the center primary circle. A person can be guided by the coded markings for stretching, lunges, squats, and other floor exercises.

Exercise mat 100 is versatile because not only can one do a pushup properly and in alignment but also another shape, or oval 130 may be printed on the mat as a destination point for the buttocks during a sit up. Directly above the three foot mark may be a bigger oval shape six inches tall and eight inches wide. This shape is there for a user to sit down on, place their feet out in front of them on any of the markings on the center line and perform a sit up, crunch or the like.

The human's abdominal muscle is generally classified into four sections: upper, middle, lower and the obliques. When the user sits down on the bigger shape 130 on mat 100, puts his feet out in front of him or her on centerline 110, they will be able to remember which marking they used and which worked the best in targeting the different regions of the abdominals during a sit up; furthermore, they are confident that the body is inline by using centerline 110.

The material of mat 100 may preferably be water resistant, resilient, tear resistant, flexible and lightweight. Mat 100 is preferably made out of water resistant material so that bodily fluids such as perspiration, extracted from body during exercise, can easily be wiped away. Closed cell foam materials or rubber are preferred for water resistance. Examples of closed cell materials include but are not limited to neoprene, silicone, PVC, nitrile, EVA, EPDM viton and XLPE. Solid rubber material include, for example, EPPM, butyl, Flexmat and fluourosilicon. Alternatively, open celled materials such as for example polyether, polyester, melamine, Filter foam, high density urethane, natural sponge and PE may be used. Additional alternative materials may include but not be limited to EM/RFI, shielding, polycarbonate, plastic films, kaplon, cork, nomex and adhesive coatings. The materials may be treated with a fungus inhibiting substance to help maintain freshness.

The mat is preferably made from flexible material such that the mat may be selectively rolled up for storage and unrolled for use. Specific embodiments provide one or more fasteners, such as ties, Velcro, snaps and the like, attached to the mat to maintain the mat in a rolled-up state when fastened. Other specific embodiments provide a kit consisting of a floor exercise mat as described herein, a carrier for carrying the mat to various locations such as back and forth from a gym or from a closet to a den, and a set of instructions that explain to a user how to understand and use the markings and how the coded markings correlate to the proper position of a body part on the mat for a desired exercise.

The markings of the present exercise mat may be printed directly onto the substance of mat 100 or alternatively the markings may be printed on a slipcover that is disposed over a cushioned pad or mat. The material of the slip cover may be washable fabric. Mat 100 may be a simple sheet of fabric, plastic, rubber or of the materials described herein such that the sheet is simply laid on the floor or on top of an existing exercise mat for use. Alternatively, mat 100 may be a pad of cushioning closed cell foam, for instance, with the markings as described herein printed on the pad. Another alternative embodiment is that mat 100 is a slipcover with the markings such that the slipcover can be disposed over an existing pad for comfort of use or may be use directly on the floor or simply put on an existing pad.

The preferred mat 100 is resilient and cushioning to be absorbent of the shock the body places on mat 100 during human performance. A persons feet, hands, or buttock are going to be constantly putting pressure in one area or mat 100 for a period of time during an exercise routine; therefore, the mat may be made from durable and shock absorbing material. Mat 100 is also preferably flexible so that it can be rolled up for storage when it is not in use. Another preferred quality of the material that mat 100 may be made from may be tear resistance. This exercise mat will be able to be moved from one area of a room to another. During the handling of the mat, it should not tear. It may be tear resistant and durable.

Child's play and rough housing should not be able to destroy the mat. The mat may be lightweight and flexible. Since the mat may be used any where, the mat may preferably be made out of a material that is light weight giving it easy portability. Its flexibility may allow the mat to be folded in any fashion, or rolled into a tube, for easy storage and so that the mat will take up less room if desired.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the exercise mat will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that this description is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. An exercise floor mat to aid an exerciser in the performance of exercises such as push ups, squats, lunges and sit-ups, the mat comprising: a surface; a centering line on the surface defining a right side and a left side of the surface; a series of coded markings on the surface extending horizontally from the centering line to the right and the left side of the surface; and a legend printed on the surface to correlate the coded markings with hand positions dependent on the cross-back measurement of the exerciser, such that the exerciser can center his body on the mat with the centering line and position his right hand on the right side of the centering line and his left hand on the left side of the centering line, each hand on a coded marking correlated to his cross-back measurement.
 2. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, wherein the coded markings are coded by color such that a particular color corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 3. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, wherein the coded markings are coded by shape such that a particular shape corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 4. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, wherein the coded markings are coded by cross-hatching such that a particular cross-hatching pattern corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 5. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, further comprising a sit-up marker on the centering line to indicate where to place the buttocks for sit-ups.
 6. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, wherein the surface further comprises a slipcover that fits over a cushion.
 7. The exercise floor mat of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises closed-cell foam.
 8. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises plastic.
 9. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises rubber.
 10. The exercise mat of claim 1, wherein the mat comprises flexible material such that the mat may be selectively rolled up for storage.
 11. The exercise mat of claim 10, further comprising one or more fasteners attached to the mat to maintain the mat in a rolled-up state when fastened.
 12. The exercise mat of claim 1, further comprising a first side and an opposite side, wherein the surface is on the first side and further comprising on the opposite side a second surface having an array of coded markings for additional floor exercises.
 13. An exercise floor mat kit, the kit comprising: a carrier for carrying the mat; a set of instructions for use of the mat; and an exercise floor mat further comprising: a surface; a centering line on the surface defining a right side and a left side of the surface; a series of coded markings on the surface extending horizontally from the centering line to the right and the left side of the surface; and a legend printed on the surface to correlate the coded markings with hand positions dependant on the cross-back measurement of the exerciser.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the coded markings of the mat are coded by color such that a particular color corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the coded markings of the mat are coded by shape such that a particular shape corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 16. The kit of claim 13, wherein the coded markings of the mat are coded by cross-hatching such that a particular cross-hatching pattern corresponds to a particular cross-back measurement.
 17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the coded markings of the mat further comprise a sit-up marker on the centering line to indicate where to place the buttocks for sit-ups.
 18. The kit of claim 13, wherein the mat further comprises a first side and an opposite side, wherein the surface is on the first side and further comprising on the opposite side a second surface having an array of coded markings for additional floor exercises.
 19. An exercise mat comprising coded markings on the mat such that the markings correlate cross-back measurements to positions for body parts during exercise. 